Hosed (Happy Cat #1)(66)

“That was the best speech I’ve ever heard,” I tell her.

She laughs. “It was emotional love vomit.”

“And it was beautiful. Just like you.”

Blake jostles into us before I can kiss her. “Gimme that bottle. We’re popping the top and celebrating.” He winks at Cassie. “I knew you’d stay. Nice that you’re making it official.”

“I do still have to go back to San Francisco to clean out my apartment,” she says, “but I’ll be coming right back.” She looks up to me. “You want to come with? We can take a few days, and I’ll show you around. Give you a taste of the big city?”

I don’t answer.

Not with words.

I’m too busy kissing the woman I’m going to love for the rest of my life.





Epilogue





Cassie





* * *



My feet are tired and I’m squeezed between too many people on the pier, but my heart is full and the late afternoon breeze is cooling my slight sunburn. We’ve had a long day playing tourist, and I feel like I’ve been introduced to a new side of the city I called home for so many years.

I loved seeing it through Ryan’s eyes.

I nudge him and point to one of the sea lions. “Look! He’s trying to push his friend off!”

We both laugh as the giant animals flap their fins and bark at each other on the docks. Six other sea lions sleep on, ignoring the commotion while another tries to get up on the wood shelf to sun himself.

Ryan tugs me closer with the arm around my waist, pressing a kiss to my hair. “The Golden Gate Bridge, the sourdough bakery, the Ghirardelli chocolate factory, and the sea lions. Today’s been incredible.”

“It’s not over yet, mister. We still have a baseball game. And wine country tomorrow.”

“Can’t get this back in Happy Cat. You sure you want to leave?”

“Yep,” I say, without a speck of doubt. “We can always come back to visit. But Happy Cat’s home. You belong there. We belong there.”

He bends down and captures my lips in a sweet kiss. “I love you, Cassandra Mae Sunderwell.”

I cup his stubble-rough face and smile, my cheeks stretched so wide they hurt. “I love you too, Ryan O’Dell.”

The sea lions all start barking, and we both laugh again. They’re as bad as George, interrupting us when we get too close. Though in George’s case, it’s because he just wants in on the love too.

Olivia might be right.

Maybe he needs a special lady of his own. Maybe then, he’d quit scratching at the door when Ryan and I are having private time.

Speaking of private time…

I tilt my head back toward The Embarcadero, the main drag beside the piers. “You know, we have about two hours before the game starts, and our hotel is right there…”

That’s generally all it takes to get Ryan hustling in the direction of home. Or a hotel room. Or anywhere we can find thirty minutes of privacy, really.

But he doesn’t move.

Instead, his eyes turn serious as he studies me.

“Do I have chocolate on my cheek?” I start to swipe at my face, but he captures my hand and shakes his head with a smile.

“No, you’re just—you’re absolutely perfect.”

Heat flushes my cheeks warmer. “I’m not perfect, but you make me feel like I get pretty close.”

“Then I’m doing something right.”

“You do everything right.”

He opens his mouth again, but pauses, his gaze searching mine again.

“What is it?” I ask softly.

“I just—it’s barely been two months, but I can’t remember a time when you weren’t a part of me.”

My already happy heart takes flight and bursts into song. “I know exactly what you mean. Like I found the missing piece I didn’t know I was looking for.”

“I worried this was too soon, but…” He trails off, taking my hands in his. And then he drops to his knee, making my jaw drop with a soft gasp. “Cassie, I always wanted to see the world. But when I’m with you, you’re all the world I need. I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you make me. Will you marry me?”

I launch myself at him, shouting, “Yes! Yes!” almost before he’s finished. He catches me easily, and he kisses me, right there on our knees on Pier 39, with other tourists around us clapping and the sea lions barking out a celebration in the background.

“I don’t have a ring yet—” Ryan starts.

I shake my head. “I don’t need a ring. I just need you.”

“You have me, Cassie. Always and forever. Hook, line, and sinker.”

This man.

He’s given me a home. He’s helped me own my sexuality, love myself in a way I never did before, and have the courage to reach for my dreams with both hands. And now he’s giving me happily ever after.

I laugh as I wrap him in a tight hug. “We’re going to have the best life ever.”

“So long as we’re together,” he agrees.

I stand, pulling him to his feet with me. “Now can we go see about those two hours in our hotel room?” I whisper with a wink.